Community Events

After exiting the Michigan Princess last Friday night from the Spring version of “Salsa Above the Water, one has to wonder what could Adrian “Ace” Lopez do with an even bigger venue? It appeared there were about 250-275 people. I have always been so impressed with Salsa and the beautiful people who display their talents on the dance floor. Anytime you combine almost 300 people, plenty of people who don’t know each other and an open bar, well, your asking for trouble. But Adrian seems to attract a great crowd that only seems interested in the stylish moves, having a good time and taking advantage of a unique environment. The Michigan Princess is a classic replica of a 19th century steam boat which makes it completely different from other venues.

Congrats to Adrian “Ace” Lopez for providing a great night of entertainment for the Lansing community and of course the many who drive in from other cities near and far for the evening. Adrian will run two more of these in 2018. One is July and the last one in September. On Facebook, type in “Salsa Above the Water” to find out when the July one is held, or you can check back on the Cafecito website as I will usually post details for his events.

Tech en la Casa celebrated another edition of what this writer calls my favorite non-profit by having a recognition night for the students who participated in the Spring classes. Also recognized were the people who help make this all happen. Founded in 2011, like many Michigan residents, when there is a problem one works on finding a solution. These are the sentiments of retired Lansing School District administrator and teacher, Andrea Rodriguez who wrote a $19,000 grant to begin a new bilingual English/Spanish computer course for Spanish-speaking parents at Cristo Rey Community Center.

The technology project offered by Cristo Rey Community Center is made possible by a grant from the Our Lady of Victory Missionary Sisters Resource Sharing Program. Our Lady of Victory Missionary Sisters is a religious community of women dedicated to proclaiming the Word of God, fostering justice, standing in solidarity with the poor and promoting the development of leaders.

Although no one qualified to graduate from the program, there were quite a few students who took time from their busy lives and schedules to attend some of the classes. The hope is that they return to finish what they started in the fall term. The program teaches basic computer skills to the Spanish community although it is bilingual. Many of the students are people who just haven’t had the opportunity to learn how to use a computer, so learning email, Skype, social media has given so many people in the Lansing area different ways to communicate with friends, family and especially loved ones who might live in other States, or even other countries.

So why is this my favorite non-profit? Because it closes the gap in those communication lines not only long distance, but within the city. I have personally met people in this program who felt left out of the community or as one named Ingrid once said upon her graduation, “I now feel like I have a voice in the community”. She felt left out and disconnected in her own city. About ten days after this Tech Night, I ran into Ingrid and her husband Chris dancing the night away on the “Salsa On the Water” that was held on the Michigan Princess. And, uh, they can dance!

The TECH Three-tiered Goal:

1. To teach parents/guardians to gain basic computer skills to support their
children’s academic achievement.

2. To connect students in elementary and secondary school to parents/guardians
and to promote confidence to improve behavior and academic achievement.

3. To motivate university students (undergraduate and graduate) to complete
their studies through mentoring opportunities and understanding the
importance of their role in serving the community.

When a program can not only teach skills, but offer a way to become more connected to family and friends, it becomes a program that offers life to peoples personal lives. It offers opportunities to grow and to share their own personal stories. And let’s face it. We all have a story to tell, these folks just didn’t have many people to share their story with and now they do. Ingrid and Chris, whose daughter dances folkloric dance with a local group, now feel like Lansing is their home. And I have never asked them, but did Ingrid really believe she only signed up to learn basic computers skills?

For more information on Tech en la Casa:
On Facebook: Tech en la Casa
The Tech website: Tech el la Casa

Or call the Cristo Rey Community Center at 517-372-4700

The Greater Lansing Chapter of the Labor Council for Latin America Advancement (LCLAA) held their annual Scholarship Fundraising Dinner Tuesday, May 1, 2018 at Local 652 in Lansing, Michigan. About 125 people were in attendance and celebrated International Workers Day or known worldwide as “May Day”. Amanda Cena Blessed us with her rendition of the National Anthem, and Traci Ruiz shared her life journey as the Keynote Speaker.

Traci, recently retired from the Lansing Police Department with a ranking of Police Lieutenant and now owns Ruiz Consultants LLC. Her business specializes in fighting elder abuse and empowering individuals. Through consulting, case review, and expert witness testimony, they assist with cases involving elder abuse, domestic violence, and sexual assault. She also was appointed on May 3, 2018 to the Michigan Board of Medicine by Governor Rick Snyder. Housed within the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, the board oversees the practice of medicine and serves as the state’s licensing board. It includes 19 members: 10 doctors, one physician’s assistant, and eight public members.

LCLAA awarded three scholarships at the event. All three winners were from Everett High School. Destiny Hernandez, Maribelle Herrera and Elian Arambula. Congrats to all three who not only stood out academically, but also shined outside the classrooms too.

For more information about The Greater Lansing Chapter of the Labor Council for Latin America Advancement click here: Labor Council for Latin American Advancement

For more information about Ruiz Consultants LLC, click here: Ruiz Consultants LLC

The Lansing for Cesar E. Chavez Committee (LCEC) celebrated their 8th Annual Fundraising Dinner Saturday, March 31, 2018. With a packed house at Local 652 in Lansing, Michigan, guests were treated to a dinner, entertainment provided by Grupo Plazer with Michael Medina on keyboards as well as a silent auction. Amanda Cena provided her usual golden voice for the National Anthem.  The Keynote Speaker was  Dr. Ruben Martinez from the Julian Samora Research Institute at Michigan State University and spoke to a packed house.

Once again the annual Cesar E. Chavez Essay Awards were handed out on this night and the 1st Place winner was Estabraq Mahdi who attends Eastern High School and received an $800 scholarship to help her with college expenses. 2nd Place went to Destiny Hernandez of Everett High School who won a $500 scholarship. A $200 scholarship went to Maricela Tapia of Waverly High School.

Community Awards were also given to Todd Heywood who is a freelance investigative journalist based in Lansing. He received the Lansing for Cesar E. Chavez Humanitarian Award for his role in the street name change of Grand River Ave. to Cesar E. Chavez Ave. in Lansing’s Old Town. Much thanks to Amanda Cena who sang the National Anthem and provided vocals to Grupo Plazer for the dance. Thank you Grupo Plazer!

The Lansing for Cesar E. Chavez Committee is a 501c3 Non-Profit Organization that’s works to preserve the legacy of Cesar E. Chavez through Education, Commemoration, Service and Self Determination. The Committee led the way in changing the street name Grand River Ave. to Cesar E. Chavez Ave. in Lansing’s Old Town. Much thanks also goes out to the Old Town Commercial Association and its members for listening and then responding to the Latino community in what Gente considered important.

The Committee is always looking for new members so if you would like to become a member or have questions about either membership or sponsorship of this group, please contact Chairperson Al Salas at salasalfonso@aol.com or contact the through their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/lansingforcesarechavez/

Press Release received from The Hispanic Latino Commission of Michigan:

June 24, 2016 – The Hispanic Latino Commission of Michigan (HLCOM) and the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) today appointed Dr. Felipe Lopez-Sustaita as executive director of the commission. The position had been vacant since Marylou Mason’s retirement in December 2015.

“The commission is excited to start a new chapter of serving Hispanics throughout Michigan with the appointment of Dr. Lopez-Sustaita as our new executive director” said HLCOM Chairman Noel Garcia. “Felipe has a remarkable track record of advocacy, public service, building partnerships and leadership.”

“Dr. Lopez-Sustaita’s leadership skills make him a great addition to the commission and we welcome him to the department,” said LARA Director, Shelly Edgerton. “I would like to thank the selection committee for their efforts during this process.”

As HLCOM executive director, Dr. Lopez-Sustaita will assist the commission with its mission to help increase economic growth of Hispanics, promote better education and academic achievements for Hispanics, and increase awareness of issues faced by the community to local and state government.

Dr. Lopez-Sustaita previously served as the LUCERO program coordinator and academic advisor at Lansing Community College. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Michigan State University and a doctorate degree in education from Ferris State University. Dr. Lopez-Sustaita also has international education experience in Africa, Greece, Mexico and the Ukraine.

For those of us who have been Blessed to have either met or worked with Felipe know, integrity, honestly and hard work are part of his calling card. His love of helping people is well known. His work recently as the LUCERO Program Director at Lansing Community College raised the profile but most importantly built a long needed bridge from LCC to Michigan State University which resulted in several partnerships between the two. As I sat and listened to the Commission announce his appointment, I almost cried knowing the impact he will make. Words can’t describe this writers excitement over Felipe being named Executive Director. Well done LARA and the Hispanic Latino Commission of Michigan!